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Outranked by Major Engine Damage - the Final Chapter



I'd like to take this opportunity to strongly recommend Orange County
Triumph (or at least their service department) to anyone experiencing
difficulties with their Triumph in the Los Angeles area. Whatever you
do, stay as far away from South Bay Triumph as you possibly can.

Now, on with the update:

I had my bike moved to Orange County Triumph on Tuesday afternoon.
This evening, I got a call from Mickey of Orange County Triumph - they
had completed their diagnosis of the problem and were ordering parts.

The problem is that an exhaust valve (or it's seat) became dislodged
and shattered. The exhaust valve head became wedged into the port,
cracking the head, destroying number one piston, and releasing water
into the sump. Obviously a manufacturing defect, and fully covered by
the warrantee. I'll have the bike back next Friday at the latest, with
the warrantee intact.

Mickey found *no* bronze in the filter (it was full of water,
actually) or anywhere else in the engine where it didn't belong. He
did find pieces of the piston, as well as pieces of the valve seat in
the silencer. All the bearings look good, as do the rods and the
crank. He is replacing the number one connecting rod as a precaution,
not because it appears to have suffered from any damage.

Those of you following along at home may remember that South Bay's
diagnosis was a spun or seized rod bearing, and that much bronze was
found in the filter. I can only surmise that they either *made* a
filter full of bronze or that they cut open someone else's filter.
When I think of how close I came to paying $4,138.00 for a
manufacturing defect my blood starts to boil all over again.

So now the question is what to do. Obviously, I will call my insurance
company tomorrow and inform them of Orange County Triumph's findings.
I suspect that the insurance company will take a dim view of the
attempt at fraud.  I also plan to lodge a complaint with California's
Bureau of Automotive Repair and send a letter to Triumph asking for
(at a minimum) reimbursement for the repair related expenses I have
incurred to date ($120.00 for diagnostics at South Bay Triumph,
$100.00 for towing) as well as whatever else I can get from them. I
will also express my extreme dissatisfaction at how I was treated at
South Bay Triumph as well, with a copy forwarded to South Bay.

I don't know what other options I have or who it would be useful to
complain to. Any ideas the rest of you have would be welcome.

Remember - if you have a Triumph and you are in Orange or Los Angeles
County - DON'T GO TO SOUTH BAY TRIUMPH.



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